Solar Install

[Wfmdfm]

I installed a flexible solar panel on the roof of my 28TE. It’s a 160 watt panel and it charges the starting battery as well as the 2 house batteries. I am on a mooring so do not have an option to plug in. With this installed I am able to run the frig 24/7 without any issues. The panel was mounted using Chem.ink M-1 adhesive. It is there so stay.

[Norseman]

Nice, but the panel looks small for 160 Watts..?
Should be plenty power for the fridge and everything else: I got a 75 Watt panel on my hardtop, with good sun it will pump 5 amp/hours + in the batteries. (Only wired it to the house bank, but the combiner will feed the start battery as needed.)

[Wfmdfm]

The control has worked without any issues. It’s good for 20amps. 20 amp x 12 volts= 240 watts. Rich does sell larger ones but this one seemed to do as I needed. I plan on a inverter to power the microwave as well but that’s another project. I don’t have much experience with solar. I was impressed that on cloudy and overcast days it was still putting out a charge.

[real550A]

I've been powering a 13' Burro camper with one 100w panel, for 3 years. It's been great, and keeps my 83ah battery up, even with the inverter powering a 700w microwave occasionally.
When I finally find that 27FC of my dreams, I will definitely add at least one, but probably two 100w panels. Can't beat that constant charge, while unplugged!

[Nepidae]

Realize this is late to the party and not sure if there is any question to the post.

IF we are posting a solar install we did 1 to our 43 this past season, but we were looking for something more than keeping a refrigerator or an 83Ah battery topped off.

We are on the Loop and wanted to get more than the 2.5-3 days at anchor that we were getting from our batts.

We have a house bank of 6-6V L16 400Ah AGM batts that run the boat at anchor. With batt management, we can come into an anchorage or wall w/o power, around 13-1400H and stay that day, the next & the next and leave around 09-1000h the following day.

We just added 3-220W Xantrex Flex, self-sticking panels, onto the top of the Hard-to-Top bridge roof. We have a Victron 150/60 MPPT Smart controller for the panels. Test runs at the end of last season in KY showed over 2.0kWh collection.

IF anyone is interested in more info on our install, drop me an email so I can offer more about the installation including pictures.

[Nancy]

IF anyone is interested in more info on our install, drop me an email so I can offer more about the installation including pictures.

I think there would be lots of interest. You should start a separate thread and tell us all about it.

[nebulatech]

Impressive panel. Nice to hear it works well on cloudy days too!

Where did you get it again?

[rcwhite]

We installed 200w of panels this year after thinking about it for some time. So far this has worked well keeping up with the refer and freezer which draw 6 amps combined when running. We haven’t had enough time without needing the genny for heat etc yet to see if this will be enough for extended time on its own but have been pleased so far. At a minimum it cuts the charge cycles in half extending the life of the batteries and reduces the need to recharge by other means. Over 600w sounds impressive:) In hindsight, not sure why we didn’t do this sooner.

[real550A]

I have taken delivery of a 200w Renogy kit, which I will install on the roof of
"Fools Gold", when I get back down to Florida this fall. That should be enough power to maintain my starting battery, plus the two 235ah 6v house batteries for infinite anchoring, running a mini fridge, 12v Dometic chest fridge, and the occasional inverter operated devices. Can't wait!

[BobHaze]

Following this thread with great interest. I'm working on the design of a 2 panel install for my 35CB. Challenges are a fabric roof that the PO said could be damaged by heat from a flexible panel attached directly on the fabric, and finding a clean path to run the cable(s) from the roof down to the batteries. The prospect of extending both charged time at anchor, and the life of the $1,350 8D batteries gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling.

[Fred Webster]

I have 1 40W panel on my FC27, and would like to add more and install a small refridgerator.

I'd be interested to learn where you have the mini fridge and chest freezer - I can't seem to find the space for them.
Maybe, you made some modifications to the layout?

Photos would be great.

Thanks,,

I have taken delivery of a 200w Renogy kit, which I will install on the roof of
"Fools Gold", when I get back down to Florida this fall. That should be enough power to maintain my starting battery, plus the two 235ah 6v house batteries for infinite anchoring, running a mini fridge, 12v Dometic chest fridge, and the occasional inverter operated devices. Can't wait!

[real550A]

Fred- I plan on using the Dometic in the pilot house, probably under one of the front seats, for beverages and snacks. Not settled on the dorm fridge location, either on the bench at the end of the counter, where the folding shelf is, or I've seen them on the bench against the front bulkhead for the head.